ING Night Marathon: When business isn't about business

I have a confession, I am a capitalist.

I'm not a hardcore capitalist in the Milton Friedman mould who thinks only profit matters. I'm a soft capitalist who thinks that companies should make money, but also aim to reduce societal inequality and impact on the environment.

Business is about business – with some positive side effects.

But every now and again I meet someone who turns around my mental model.

Earlier in this series of Office Hours, Marianne Donven flipped the model. Her restaurant chain Chiche! is a vehicle to help refugees who have had to flee horrific situations abroad and are seeking safety in Luxembourg. The main purpose is the positive impact on people. Any restaurant profits are a welcome side effect.

In the latest episode, Erich Francois flipped the model again. He is passionate about getting people to be active and healthy. He is passionate about sharing the story of our Grand Duchy. He is passionate about the sense of community that the marathon can help create.

The ING Night Marathon Luxembourg isn't primarily about business, it's mainly about a positive impact on people. And whilst it does need a dedicated team of full-time employees to make it happen, it also needs many volunteers.

If you love living in Luxembourg, the night marathon is probably one of the events you appreciate. But it will only continue if people volunteer. There are many ways to help. Why not be a street marshall and keep a road junction safe as you cheer people along? Why not help the runners get to the end by handing out water at a refreshment stop?

Volunteering as a group can be fun, and bring your club, community or organisation alongside the bigger marathon event.

Oh, and if you get 15 or more volunteers you can have a sales stand along the route, or a 1000 Euro donation for your club. That could be a welcome business side effect for your community enterprise.